The 1979 WTA Tour consisted of a number of tennis tournaments for female tennis players. It was composed of the newly streamlined version of the Avon Championships (which was now an 11-week tour of the US) and the Colgate Series. The year 1979 also saw the creation of the first official ranking system and these rankings were used to determine acceptance into the tournaments.[ 1] [ 2]
This is a calendar of all events which were part of either the Avon Championships circuit or the Colgate Series in the year 1979, with player progression documented from the quarterfinals stage. Also included are the Grand Slam tournaments, the 1979 Avon Championships , the 1979 Federation Cup and a number of events not affiliated with either tour.[ 1]
Key
Grand Slam tournaments
Avon/Colgate Series championships
Avon Championships Circuit
Colgate Series
Non-tour events
Team events
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
4 Dec
Toyota Women's Classic Sydney , Australia Colgate Series Grass – $75,000 – 64S/32DSingles – Doubles
Dianne Fromholtz 6–1, 1–6, 6–4
Kerry Reid
Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull
Regina Maršíková Lesley Hunt Hana Mandlíková Lesley Hunt
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 4–6, 6–2
Judy Chaloner Anne Hobbs
11 Dec
Adelaide International Adelaide , Australia Colgate Series Grass – $50,000 – 64S/32DSingles – Doubles
Kerry Reid 7–5, 6–7, 6–1
Beth Norton
Hana Mandlíková Ilana Kloss
Lesley Hunt Anne Hobbs Chris O'Neil Birgitte Hermansen
Lesley Hunt Sharon Walsh 6–2, 6–2
Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger
18 Dec
New South Wales Open Sydney , Australia Colgate Series Grass – $75,000 – 32SSingles – Doubles
Dianne Fromholtz 6–2, 7–5
Wendy Turnbull
Renáta Tomanová Lea Antonoplis
Lesley Hunt Ilana Kloss Sharon Walsh Elisabeth Ekblom
Lesley Hunt Sharon Walsh 6–2, 6–1
Ilana Kloss Marise Kruger
25 Dec 1 Jan
Australian Open Melbourne , Australia Grand Slam Grass – 64S/32DSingles – Doubles
Chris O'Neil 6–3, 7–6(7–3)
Betsy Nagelsen
Dianne Evers Christine Matison
Sue Barker Dorte Ekner Mary Sawyer Renáta Tomanová
Betsy Nagelsen Renáta Tomanová 7–5, 6–2
Naoko Sato Pam Whytcross
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
1 Jan
Avon Championships of Washington Washington , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–2
Martina Navratilova
Dianne Fromholtz Ilana Kloss
Ann Kiyomura Pam Teeguarden Anne Smith Pam Shriver
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
Renée Richards Sharon Walsh
8 Jan
Avon Championships of California Oakland , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 7–5, 7–5
Chris Evert
Ann Kiyomura Dianne Fromholtz
Kathy May Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Marita Redondo
Chris Evert Rosie Casals 3–6, 6–4, 6–3
Tracy Austin Betty Stöve
15 Jan
Avon Championships of Houston Houston , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2
Virginia Wade
Dianne Fromholtz Wendy Turnbull
Virginia Ruzici Stacy Margolin Rosie Casals Kathy Jordan
Martina Navratilova Janet Newberry 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
Pam Shriver Betty Stöve
22 Jan
Avon Championships of Florida Hollywood , United States Avon Championships Circuit Hard – $150,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Greer Stevens 6–4, 2–6, 6–4
Dianne Fromholtz
Marise Kruger Virginia Wade
Carrie Meyer Terry Holladay Sue Barker Virginia Ruzici
Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 6–2, 2–6, 6–2
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull
29 Jan
Avon Championships of Chicago Chicago , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–4
Tracy Austin
Kerry Reid Greer Stevens
Anne Smith Marise Kruger Mima Jaušovec Sue Barker
Rosie Casals Betty-Ann Stuart 3–6, 7–5, 7–5
Ilana Kloss Greer Stevens
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
5 Feb
Avon Championships of Seattle Seattle , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/15DSingles – Doubles
Chris Evert 6–1, 3–6, 6–1
Renée Richards
Kerry Reid Jeanne DuVall
Kathy Jordan Wendy Turnbull Virginia Ruzici Betty Stöve
Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve 7–6(7–4) , 4–6, 6–4
Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
12 Feb
Avon Championships of Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Chris Evert 6–3, 6–4
Martina Navratilova
Tracy Austin Greer Stevens
Barbara Potter Ann Kiyomura Wendy Turnbull Virginia Ruzici
Rosie Casals Chris Evert 6–4, 1–6, 6–3
Martina Navratilova Anne Smith
19 Feb
Avon Championships of Detroit Detroit , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 1–6, 7–6(7–4)
Virginia Ruzici
Martina Navratilova Rosie Casals
Anne Smith Mima Jaušovec Ann Kiyomura Dianne Fromholtz
Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve 6–4, 7–6(7–5)
Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
26 Feb
Avon Championships of Dallas Dallas , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $200,000 – 32S/14DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–4
Chris Evert
Tracy Austin Virginia Wade
Stacy Margolin Renáta Tomanová Dianne Fromholtz Sue Barker
Martina Navratilova Anne Smith 7–6, 6–2
Rosie Casals Chris Evert
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
5 Mar
Avon Championships of Philadelphia Philadelphia , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $125,000 – 32S/1DSingles – Doubles
Wendy Turnbull 5–7, 6–3, 6–2
Virginia Wade
Rosie Casals Sue Barker
Terry Holladay Pam Shriver Greer Stevens Kathy Teacher
Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve 6–4, 6–2
Renée Richards Virginia Wade
12 Mar
Avon Championships of Boston Boston , United States Avon Championships Circuit Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 34S/16DSingles – Doubles
Dianne Fromholtz 6–2, 7–6(7–4)
Sue Barker
Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull
Chris Evert Greer Stevens Kerry Reid Marita Redondo
Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull 6–4, 6–2
Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
19 Mar
Avon Championships New York City, United States Season-end championships Carpet (i) – $275,000 – 8S/4DSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–3, 3–6, 6–2
Tracy Austin
Sue Barker Dianne Fromholtz
Round robin Greer Stevens Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull Chris Evert
Françoise Dürr Betty Stöve 7–6(7–1) , 7–6(7–3)
Sue Barker Ann Kiyomura
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
7 May
Italian Open Rome, Italy Colgate Series $100,000 – claySingles – Doubles
Tracy Austin 6–4, 1–6, 6–3
Sylvia Hanika
Chris Evert Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Ivanna Madruga Virginia Ruzici Dianne Fromholtz Iris Riedel-Kuhn
Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–4
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Kerry Reid
14 May
Bancroft Trophy Vienna , Austria Colgate Series $75,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Chris Evert 6–1, 6–1
Caroline Stoll
Regina Maršíková Virginia Ruzici
Yvonne Vermaak Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Dianne Fromholtz
Marise Kruger Dianne Fromholtz 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
Ilana Kloss Betty-Ann Stuart
21 May
German Open West Berlin , West Germany Colgate Series Clay – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Caroline Stoll 7–6(7–4) , 6–0
Regina Maršíková
Virginia Ruzici Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Mima Jaušovec Sylvia Hanika Renáta Tomanová Kerry Reid
Rosie Casals Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 7–5
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Kerry Reid
28 May 4 Jun
French Open Paris, France Grand Slam Clay – $375,000 – 64S/64Q/32D/28X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Chris Evert 6–2, 6–0
Wendy Turnbull
Dianne Fromholtz Regina Maršíková
Ruta Gerulaitis Virginia Ruzici Hana Mandlíková Renáta Tomanová
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 3–6, 7–5, 6–4
Françoise Dürr Virginia Wade
Wendy Turnbull Bob Hewitt 6–3, 2–6, 6–3
Virginia Ruzici Ion Țiriac
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
11 Jun
Crossley Carpets Trophy Chichester , Great Britain Colgate Series Grass – $35,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–1, 6–4
Sue Barker
Billie Jean King Tanya Harford
Martina Navratilova Pam Teeguarden Kate Latham Pam Shriver
Greer Stevens Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 1–6, 7–5
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova
18 Jun
Colgate International Eastbourne , Great Britain Colgate Series Grass – $100,000 – 64S/32DSingles – Doubles
Chris Evert 7–5, 5–7, 13–11
Martina Navratilova
Tracy Austin Virginia Wade
Wendy Turnbull Ilana Kloss Bettina Bunge Kerry Reid
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–2
Ilana Kloss Betty-Ann Stuart
25 Jun 2 July
Wimbledon Championships London, Great Britain Grand Slam Grass – 96S/48D/48X Draws: Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–4, 6–4
Chris Evert
Tracy Austin Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Dianne Fromholtz Billie Jean King Virginia Wade Wendy Turnbull
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 5–7, 6–3, 6–2
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull
Greer Stevens Bob Hewitt 7–5, 7–6(9–7)
Betty Stöve Frew McMillan
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
16 Jul
Austrian Open Kitzbühel , Austria Colgate Series Clay – $35,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Hana Mandlíková 2–6, 7–5, 6–3
Sylvia Hanika
Helena Anliot Dianne Evers 6–0, 6–4
Virginia Ruzici Elly Vessies
30 Jul
Wells Fargo Open San Diego , United States Colgate Series Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Tracy Austin 6–4, 6–2
Martina Navratilova
Virginia Wade Kathy Jordan
Anne Smith Kerry Reid Marita Redondo Ann Kiyomura
Rosie Casals Martina Navratilova 3–6, 6–4, 6–2
Ann Kiyomura Betty-Ann Stuart
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
6 Aug
U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis , United States Colgate Series Clay – $100,000 – 48S/24DSingles – Doubles
Chris Evert 6–4, 6–3
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Renée Richards Regina Maršíková
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Ruzici Anne Smith Jeanne DuVall
Kathy Jordan Anne Smith 6–1, 6–0
Penny Johnson Paula Smith
13 Aug
Rothmans Canadian Open Toronto , Canada Colgate Series $35,000 – hardSingles – Doubles
Laura duPont 6–4, 6–7(3–7) , 6–1
Brigitte Cuypers
Diane Desfor Pam Teeguarden
Chris O'Neil Lea Antonoplis Kay McDaniel Mary Carillo
Lea Antonoplis Dianne Evers 2–6, 6–1, 6–3
Chris O'Neil Mimmi Wikstedt
Central Fidelity Banks International Richmond , United States Colgate Series $100,000 – carpet (i) Singles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–1, 6–3
Kathy Jordan
Wendy Turnbull Virginia Wade
Anne Smith Kerry Reid Kate Latham Greer Stevens
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 6–1, 6–4
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova
20 Aug
Volvo Tennis Cup Mahwah , United States Colgate Series $75,000 – claySingles – Doubles
Chris Evert 6–7(2–7) , 6–4, 6–1
Tracy Austin
Betty Stöve Virginia Ruzici
Sue Barker Ivanna Madruga Terry Holladay Regina Maršíková
Tracy Austin Betty Stöve 7–6(7–4) , 2–6, 6–4
Mima Jaušovec Regina Maršíková
27 Aug 3 Sep
US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard – $300,000 – 96S/32D/32X Draw: Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles
Tracy Austin 6–3, 6–4
Chris Evert
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Virginia Wade Sylvia Hanika Kerry Reid
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 6–3
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova
Greer Stevens Bob Hewitt 6–3, 7–5
Betty Stöve Frew McMillan
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
10 Sep
Toray Sillook Open Tokyo, Japan Colgate Series Hard – $150,000 – 32S
Billie Jean King 6–4, 7–5
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Dianne Fromholtz (3rd) Ann Kiyomura (4th)
Terry Holladay Kerry Reid Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve
Greater Pittsburgh Open Pittsburgh , United States Colgate Series Hard – $35,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Sue Barker 6–3, 6–1
Renée Richards
Sue Barker Candy Reynolds 6–3, 6–2
Bunny Bruning Jane Stratton
24 Sep
Davison's Tennis Classic Atlanta , United States Colgate Series $100,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 7–6(8–6) , 6–4
Wendy Turnbull
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Tracy Austin
Virginia Wade Marise Kruger Dianne Fromholtz Chris Evert
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–4
Ann Kiyomura Anne Smith
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
1 Oct
US Indoors Championships Minneapolis , United States Colgate Series Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–3, 6–4
Dianne Fromholtz
Martina Navratilova Tracy Austin
Ann Kiyomura Billie Jean King Virginia Wade Kerry Reid
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–4, 7–6(9–7)
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull
8 Oct
Thunderbird Classic Phoenix , United States Colgate Series Hard – $100,000 – 32S/16SSingles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–1, 6–3
Chris Evert
Kate Latham Wendy Turnbull
Laura duPont Kerry Reid Caroline Stoll Ann Kiyomura
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
Rosie Casals Chris Evert
15 Oct
Borden Classic Kyoto , Japan Colgate Series Carpet (i) – $35,000 – 32S/16SSingles – Doubles
Betsy Nagelsen 6–3, 6–4
Naoko Sato
Chen Chuan Yu Li-Qiao 6–0, 7–6
Sue Saliba Mary Sawyer
22 Oct
Florida Federal Open Tampa , United States Colgate Series Hard – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Evonne Goolagong Cawley 6–0, 6–3
Virginia Wade
Chris Evert Tracy Austin
Virginia Ruzici Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull Kerry Reid
Anne Smith Virginia Ruzici 7–5, 4–6, 7–5
Ilana Kloss Betty-Ann Stuart
Hit Union Japan Open Tokyo, Japan Colgate Series $35,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Betsy Nagelsen 6–1, 3–6, 6–3
Naoko Sato
Betsy Nagelsen Penny Johnson 3–6, 6–4, 7–6
Chen Chuan Yu Li-Qiao
29 Oct
Stockholm Open Stockholm , Sweden Colgate Series Carpet (i) – $35,000 – 32S/16SSingles – Doubles
Billie Jean King 6–3, 6–7, 7–5
Betty Stöve
Virginia Ruzici Lena Sandin
Hana Mandlíková Brigitte Cuypers Anne Smith Mima Jaušovec
Betty Stöve Wendy Turnbull 7–5, 7–6
Billie Jean King Ilana Kloss
Wightman Cup West Palm Beach , United States Hard (i) Team event
United States
7–0
Great Britain
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
5 Nov
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Filderstadt , West Germany Colgate Series Carpet (i) – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Tracy Austin 6–2, 6–0
Martina Navratilova
Mima Jaušovec Chris Evert
Kerry Reid Nina Bohm Regina Maršíková Wendy Turnbull
Billie Jean King Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–3
Wendy Turnbull Betty Stöve
19 Nov
Daihatsu Challenge Brighton , Great Britain Colgate Series $75,000 – carpet (i)Singles – Doubles
Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–3
Chris Evert
Billie Jean King Sylvia Hanika
Ilana Kloss Glynis Coles Virginia Wade Virginia Ruzici
Ann Kiyomura Anne Smith 6–2, 6–1
Ilana Kloss Laura duPont
26 Nov
Toyota Classic Melbourne , Australia Colgate Series Grass – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Hana Mandlíková 6–3, 6–2
Wendy Turnbull
Renee Blount Virginia Ruzici
Mimmi Wikstedt Dianne Fromholtz Sue Barker Billie Jean King
Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King 6–3, 6–3
Dianne Fromholtz Anne Smith
Week
Tournament
Champions
Runners-up
Semifinalists
Quarterfinalists
3 Dec
NSW Building Society Women's Classic Sydney , Australia Colgate Series Grass – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Sue Barker 6–0, 7–5
Rosalyn Fairbank
Diane Desfor Regina Maršíková
Virginia Ruzici Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull Betty-Ann Stuart
Wendy Turnbull Billie Jean King 7–5, 6–4
Pam Shriver Sue Barker
10 Dec
Berri Fruit Juices Adelaide , Australia Colgate Series Grass – $100,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Hana Mandlíková 7–5, 2–2 ret.
Virginia Ruzici
Sue Barker Betty-Ann Stuart
Pam Shriver Susan Leo Roberta McCallum Diane Desfor
Hana Mandlíková Virginia Ruzici 2–6, 6–4, 6–4
Pam Shriver Sue Barker
17 Dec
Nabisco NSW Sydney , Australia Colgate Series Grass – $50,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles
Hana Mandlíková 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Bettina Bunge
Sue Barker Renáta Tomanová
Rosalyn Fairbank Diane Morrison Janet Newberry Leanne Harrison
Diane Desfor Barbara Hallquist 4–6, 6–2, 6–2
Barbara Jordan Kym Ruddell
24 Dec 31 Dec
Australian Open Melbourne , Australia Grand Slam Grass – $350,000 – 64S/32DSingles – Doubles
Barbara Jordan 6–3, 6–3
Sharon Walsh
Mary Sawyer Renáta Tomanová
Janet Newberry Michele Gurdal Cynthia Doerner Hana Mandlíková
Judy Connor Chaloner Dianne Evers Brown 6–1, 3–6, 6–0
Leanne Harrison Marcella Mesker
Below are the 1979 WTA year-end rankings (December 31, 1979) in both singles and doubles competition:
The tournaments of the Colgate Series were divided into four groups – AAAA, AAA, AA and A – based on prize money. Points were allocated based on these groups and the finishing position of a player in a tournament.[ 4] The points allocation – with doubles points listed in brackets – was:
Group AAAA
Prize money at least $150,000
Champion: 160 (32)
Runner-up: 120 (24)
Semifinalist: 80 (16)
Quarterfinalist: 40 (8)
Round of 16: 20 (4)
Round of 32: 15 (3)
Round of 64: 10
Group AAA
Prize money at least $100,000
Champion: 120 (24)
Runner-up: 90 (18)
Semifinalist: 60 (12)
Quarterfinalist: 30 (6)
Round of 16: 15 (3)
Round of 32: 10 (2)
Group AA
Prize money at least $75,000
Champion: 80 (16)
Runner-up: 60 (12)
Semifinalist: 40 (8)
Quarterfinalist: 20 (4)
Round of 16: 10 (2)
Round of 32: 5
Group A
Prize money at least $35,000
Champion: 40 (8)
Runner-up: 30 (6)
Semifinalist: 20 (4)
Quarterfinalist: 10 (2)
Round of 16: 5
Avon Championships Circuit
edit
Combined prize money for singles and doubles events.
No
Player Name
Prize money
1
Martina Navratilova (USA )
$271,500
2
Tracy Austin (USA )
$123,250
3
Chris Evert (USA )
$115,875
4
Wendy Turnbull (AUS )
$103,425
5
Dianne Fromholtz (AUS )
$93,250
6
Sue Barker (GBR )
$84,775
7
Greer Stevens (RSA )
$73,050
8
Virginia Wade (GBR )
$70,500
9
Rosemary Casals (USA )
$55,425
10
Betty Stöve (NED )
$45,100